Took this radiator apart this weekend to get these shots and show ya'll what the inside of a neglected cooling system looks like.

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
Jim

what would cause this type of corrosion? the green stuff?

was this radiator aluminum or copper?

Thats crazy, was the car overheating?

Wow. Thats why I don't mind using MB coolant and changing it every 2 years. I paid $400 for my radiator and don't plan on replacing it for a very long time, if ever again.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think it was more the muddy water stuff. On a more serious note - you can bet that it was not MB stuff and it has probably not been changed in a very long time.

__________________
Jim

Mmmmm, rust. Imagine what the engine block and water pump look like.

Wow....mine just had a coating of green slime on it, but no rust. See:

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

can you rebuild the rad's yourself or does it take skill.. i know my system has the green stuff in it .. im going to have to switch it over soon or just live with it and watch everything closely

You can't rebuild a radiator...sometimes a shop can rod them out and retank them, but thats unlikely with an aluminum one, a new one is likely what you'll need. Its what I had to do...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

they dont look that bad to me. neither one showed any clogged tubes!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

No the new plastic aluminum radiators you just replace. You get about 10-15 years usualy out of them so thats pretty good.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It was weird throwing away a radiator built 5.2 years before I was born....

Then again, my car is about 4 years and 3 months older than I am....yeesh.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Yeah yours lasted an amazingly long time!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

That's exactly what I thought when I saw it.

Did you flush first? Where there any overheating symptoms?

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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...they looked pretty good under the circumstances too. I agree that flushing the radiator on a scheduled basis makes sense, but I'm still not convinced that the over-priced MBz brand "Holy Water" is the reason that radiators stay in good shape. Replacing all fluids and filters in the car on a regular basis gets rid of the crappola and replaces essential preservatives, which break down no matter what fluid you are referring to.

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Der Panzermann und Fraulein Fahrvergnuegen

1991 420SEL 201K "The Big Blue One"
1985 300DT 205K chassis/285K engine nee California emissions "Goldbug"
1983 300TDT 255K "The Womble"
1983 300 DT 214K "Sea Sprite"-Rear-ended a truck
1983 300SD 285K "The Donor" Gave his life so that others can live
1980 500SL Euro 105K "Der Panzer"

I guess I was looking at the color and deposits as much as anything.

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Jim